Energy shield for radiation system

Abstract

Among other things, an energy shield ( 212 ) for a radiation system, such as a security imaging system, is provided. The energy shield is comprised of one or more flaps ( 300 ). At least one flap defines an aperture ( 320 ) providing a demarcation between a first flap segment ( 322 ) of the flap and a second flap segment ( 324 ) of the flap. The aperture (e.g., and a flexible member ( 326 ) positioned spatially proximate the aperture) provide for (e.g., facilitate) movement of the second flap segment relative to the first flap segment. In this manner, an amount of force required to be applied by an object to pass by the flap may be reduced when the object is small and merely contacts the second flap segment, for example. In this manner, baggage jams may be mitigated, for example, by reducing the likelihood that certain objects will be impeded from passing through the energy shield.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 an energy shield configured to mitigate radiation leakage from a radiation system and comprising one or more flaps, wherein:
 a first flap of the one or more flaps defines a first aperture extending from a first face of the first flap towards a second face of the first flap diametrically opposite the first face of the first flap, 
 the first aperture provides a first demarcation between a first flap segment of the first flap and a second flap segment of the first flap, 
 the first flap segment is integral with the second flap segment near the second face of the first flap, and 
 the first aperture provides for movement of the second flap segment relative to the first flap segment. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first flap comprises a flexible member disposed at the second face of the first flap and extending between the first flap segment and the second flap segment, and 
 the flexible member is configured to reinforce the first flap at a location spatially proximate the first aperture. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible member comprises a flexible adhesive material. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible member comprises a fiber reinforced tape. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible member comprises a mechanical hinge. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first aperture is v-shaped. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first flap defines a second aperture, 
 the second aperture provides a second demarcation between the second flap segment of the first flap and a third flap segment of the first flap, and 
 the second aperture provides for movement of the third flap segment relative to the second flap segment. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second aperture extends from the second face of the first flap towards the first face of the first flap. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first flap comprises:
 a first flexible member adjacent the second face of the first flap and spatially proximate the first aperture, and 
 a second flexible member adjacent the first face of the first flap and spatially proximate the second aperture. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second aperture provides for movement of the third flap segment in a first direction and the first aperture provides for movement of the second flap segment in a second direction different than the first direction. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a material composition of the first flap is different than a material composition of the flexible member. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus, comprising:
 an energy shield configured to mitigate radiation leakage from a radiation system and comprising one or more flaps, wherein:
 a first flap of the one or more flaps defines a first aperture extending from a first face of the first flap towards a second face of the first flap diametrically opposite the first face of the first flap, 
 the first aperture provides a first demarcation between a first flap segment of the first flap and a second flap segment of the first flap, 
 the first aperture does not extend to the second face of the first flap such that the first flap segment is integral with the second flap segment near the second face of the first flap, and 
 the first flap comprises a flexible member configured to physically couple the first flap segment to the second flap segment. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible member comprises at least one of a flexible adhesive material or a mechanic hinge. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first flap defines a second aperture extending from the second face of the first flap towards the first face of the first flap, 
 the second aperture provides a second demarcation between the second flap segment of the first flap and a third flap segment of the first flap, and 
 the second aperture does not extend to the first face of the first flap such that the second flap segment is integral with the third flap segment near the first face of the first flap. 
 
     
     
       15. A radiation system, comprising:
 a radiation source; 
 a detector array; 
 an examination region through which radiation passes; and 
 an energy shield configured to mitigate radiation leakage from the examination region through an opening in the radiation system through which an object is conveyed at least one of into or out of the examination region, wherein:
 the energy shield is positioned within the opening and comprises one or more flaps, 
 a first flap of the one or more flaps defines a first aperture extending from a first face of the first flap towards a second face of the first flap diametrically opposite the first face of the first flap, 
 the first aperture provides a first demarcation between a first flap segment of the first flap and a second flap segment of the first flap, and 
 the first flap segment is integral with the second flap segment near the second face of the first flap. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The radiation system of  claim 15 , wherein the first flap comprises a flexible material configured to reinforce the first flap at a location spatially proximate the first aperture. 
     
     
       17. The radiation system of  claim 16 , wherein the flexible material comprises a different material composition than at least one of the first flap segment or the second flap segment. 
     
     
       18. The radiation system of  claim 15 , wherein the radiation source comprises an ionizing radiation source. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second flap segment is integral with the third flap segment near the first face of the first flap. 
     
     
       20. The radiation system of  claim 15 , the first flap defines a second aperture extending from the second face of the first flap towards the first face of the first flap,
 the second aperture provides a second demarcation between the second flap segment of the first flap and a third flap segment of the first flap, and 
 the second aperture does not extend to the first face of the first flap such that the second flap segment is integral with the third flap segment near the first face of the first flap.